This is a big one, boys- Pacers GDT

[FNG]

Some of you have reached out to me and expressed some concerns about Tim's last GDT kickoff for the Pacers game last week. They thought he didn't put enough effort into it, and that he might be a reason for the OT loss. I don't necessarily agree, but I'm here to serve, so I will kick off (tip off?) this GDT.

The Wolves lost to a Pacers team last week missing almost all of their best players. So tonight Indy is 100% healthy (except for possibly bench player Mathurin), and Ant has a mysterious thumb laceration on his shooting hand, and is questionable. The Pacers are a very good home team...fewer losses than anyone other than the Cavs, Thunder and Lakers...so you would expect them to be heavy favorites tonight. Nope. The line opened at Pacers - 2 1/2 and has come down to 1 1/2 (perhaps a signal that Ant is okay and playing). My grandfather always told me to bet with my head and not with my heart. And my head says any smart gambler should be all over the Pacers tonight only giving 1 1/2.

But the NBA is a strange league, and teams seem to get up for games when they have crapped the bed recently...that's why many of us aren't very optimistic about the next Denver game, even though we have beaten then badly the last two times. Revenge is a big factor in the NBA, and I expect the Wolves to come out focused tonight. Apparently Vegas does too, and that's the reason for the odd line. Tim and I both have this as a loss I think, so a Wolves upset would go a long way toward our chances of avoiding the play in...it would put us a win ahead of the Warriors in my forecast, and I believe 2 ahead in Tim's. Increased effort and focus may not be enough, especially if Ant isn't 100%. But I think this could be a fun game. Ju and Ant need to make quick decisions and move the ball, and Finchie needs to give Clark more than the 9 minutes he gave him against the Pacers last week. Indy doesn't turn the ball over (5th lowest TO rate in the league), but Clark is a guy that can make turnovers happen. He could be the X factor tonight.

Like I said, this is a big one...let's f'ing GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[60WinTim]

Win or lose, I am officially handing off my GDT duties. I am heading off on a one month hiatus. I'll be able to check in here and there, but an active participant I will not be.

And, yeah, a win tonight would be a step in the right direction for avoiding the play-in. I have the Warriors losing to the Heat tomorrow, but my confidence is not high...

[FNG]

Ant is in, and we're now favored by 1 1/2...that's a 4 point swing in the spread during the day!

[Phenom]

Let's lacerate these guys!

[Coolbreeze44]

Ant & Ju take turns missing 3's.

[60WinTim]

I really don’t care for this lineup. It’s lacking juice on both ends. We damn lucky the Pacers are missing all these shots. That won’t last…

[Phenom]

This team could really use some Naz firepower about now.

[Phenom]

Little signs of life from the team so far. Lucky to be as close as they are.

[Phenom]

I've had enough of Obi Toppin

[kekgeek]

The bench has 2-12

The wolves PFs are 2-9

Hard to win